I was having some battery power issues, so, I took the car to Autozone and had it checked. Bad battery, so, I got a new one. I figured since I was cranky about shelling out large dollars for a battery, I'd go treat the Sport to a bath. So, I went to the car wash, washed the car, did a little spray shine and tire treatment, and then left.....Here's where it get bad....On my way home I was driving about 45 mph down the street and I felt the Sport DROP on the rear driver side. I saw the tire flying through the air, and the car went to the left quickly. I ended up in the median on the grass. I assessed the damage, and luckily, the body and all are in great shape. The rear brake assembly...dead. The wheel...broke in half. The tire looks o.k though. Pics tomorrow of the minimal car damage and busted wheel. My brake drum is MIA. All of the lug bolts were in excellent shape. I think somebody loosened them. I checked the others and they sem tight. new locking lug nuts, a wheel and brake asembly have to be bought, and the brake cylinder. .
Whaaaat!? That's crazy... Glad you and the body are OK!
WTF? How did that happen? Does somebody want you dead?
Looks like it may be a good thing I bought those parts from you. That does really suck though
Vinnie, anything in particular you need? ..if I have it, it's yours man
Glad you're ok...the Sport is some nicely arranged pieces of metal, and can be fixed...I doubt there's another V-man floating around out there ;)
Thanks guys. I'm glad I'm fine, too. LOL. My biggest need is a brake drum. It's from an earlier model Fox Bird. A little deeper than the '88 model. I had swapped the brake stuff years ago and now I'm looking for another. Gotta ask Chuck which one I need. he is the one that told me what I needed. So, that's what I'll be needing. I'll order a new wheel asap, too.
whoa! Glad you're ok--there are few things worse than watching your wheel head down the road beside the car. It (losing a wheel) happened to my teenaged brother right after he had slowed from highway speeds to in-town speed, but unlike you, he had only put one lug nut on (finger tight).
That's crazy. Glad you're ok.
Wow glad you and the car are in one piece
Vinnie, i am glad your ok, and no major damage........ it's really odd, because that happened to me with my Bird in 1987 after i brought the car in for a wheel alignment and tire rotation. The genius kid they had work on my car didn't tighten my Driver front rim down, and it came off my car at about 50+ MPH. It was a miracle that there were no other cars around me cause it was after midnight and was out cruising alone. A really nice guy driving next to me saw it happen and pulled over, let me jump in and we found my runaway rim and tire a 1/4 mile down the road on a side street. I even located all four lugs in the road. I went back to the shop the next and 2 co-workers had to pull me off the kid. (I was a kid myself back then) He felt super bad about it, and apologized like fifty times. I went to the boss and begged him not to fire the guy, let him learn from the experience. My only real damage was the front disc itself which ground down flat partially from the long spark filled skid to a stop. Speedy recovery!
So odd that this showed up on my Facebook news feed. Small world. I now see that my 4 lug brake parts can not help you even if my 5 lug conversion was complete. At this point in time, I don't see anything I can do to help, but if there is just let me know. Apparently, you can reach me in more than one way. lol
How did the wheel break in half? This should never happen.
I'm glad your alright and no major damage.
I'm a little rusty on that, but it sounds like you may need one from an '86 7.5 rear?
Of course, I will defer to Chuck on that, however. But it seems like when I was doing my big 5 lug drum research, that the odd width rear had the proper depth of drums, but in 4 lug, so hopefully that's what will get you in order.
Anyway, if you need a sway bar, I've got 3 or 4 of them...Stang GT sized, which IIRC, are the same diameter as the TC bars..?
Beau, I'd be very interested in a rear Turbo Coupe/GT sway bar. Mine has a pretty wicked flat spot on it now. May compromise it's strength. PM me and we can make a deal.
I'm going to OEWheels and ordering a new rim right now. Then, one step closer to repairing the damage.
Sorry to hear what happened Vinnie. I'm glad you are ok.
Thanks guys. As much as it sucks, it is a good thing that the Sport, over all, is in good shape. Just need to source some parts, and there are none around here.
Glad you ok!!! sorry don't have a part you need, but will keep and eye out!!
Thanks.
I think I have most parts accounted for. Brake pieces, wheel, and brake drum for an '83 Bird are ordered . I'm pretty sure that's the drum I need. if not, I can get a refund.
You need to keep that in the garage, It don't like the road. Glad to here it wasn't worst than what it is.
No Kidding Kitz. Dang. I think she's been off the road so long she forgot what to do. LOL.
Here's the wheel......
(http://i216.photobucket.com/albums/cc205/Vinnietbird/1604830_10203320322395237_779054185_n.jpg) (http://s216.photobucket.com/user/Vinnietbird/media/1604830_10203320322395237_779054185_n.jpg.html)
That's crazy. definitely throw some security lugs after that.
Hi Vinnie,
I just read this and have never said hello since I have joined this site, glad you got through this with minimal side effects.
Your rims are some of the best looking 4 lug wheels I have ever seen.
Glad you are okay.
Mark
Hey, Vinnie… you can make a shop clock out of that rim now
Pro SC....Thanbks, and drop a "hello" any time.
Jerry, that is EXACTLY what I told Gayle yesterday. I have a clock motor and hands. LOL.
Damm Vinnie that some crazy stuff there..
I like the shop clock idea, I still have my bent up rod and piston from my blown apart 302, makes a nice shop ashtray
When I clean up and move everything around in the garage, I'm going to hang the turbo coupe hood on the wall for a bulletin board, and use the wheel as a clock. Have some other plans as well to "re-cycle" some old parts.
Vinny who makes those wheels. The hub separated and that is ODD at best. Also do you make it a habit of torquing your lug nuts??? We torque every lug nut that comes in to the shop if we remove the wheels for any reason. AND NEVER USE ANY LUBRICANTS ON LUGS< > Also make sure you have enough threads showing past the nut. Rule of thumb is app 3-4 threads. Basically it is not uncommon for 4 lug ford setups to loosen up. We actually ran in to this when replacing rear rotors that were not COMPOSITE. Aftermarket rear rotors are not composite in many instances and the s are thicker which spaces out the wheels and reduces the thread count. That is why a 5 lug conversion in my view is a mandatory UP-GRADE. Thank God you are ok and can look back on this!!!
I've found that with alloy wheels, you always have to go back and retorque the nuts a couple of times.
I put a new tire on a truck when I first started driving 20 years ago...torqued the nuts, next morning, headed to school. Pulled into the parking lot, and upon making a hard right into my spot, heard a pop, pop, pop, and the front end lurched over. The wheel came off.
4 busted lugs, and the other 2 bent. Wheel was at a crazy angle. (6 lug Jeep pattern)
And that was after a 5 mile trip. I DID torque the lug nuts that day...ever since then, I've been almost fanatical about my lug nuts.
302 is correct for some reason those 4 lug alloy wheels loosen up. We do go through this and we have a torque sheet for every car we remove the wheels from. We sometimes find them loose and we can not explain why. I think the alloy sinks in and the lug nuts loosen up. A good torque stick along with a final torque wrench tightening is your safest option!!!
I thought it may have bee the expansion rate of aluminum vs. steel and iron...but as long as well agree and know that alloy wheels DO tend to come loose sometimes and are mindful of occasionally checking a lug nut here and there... ;)
How ya been Tom? Those Porsches do all right in the snow back east? LOL
While were at it does anyone know the torque spec?
I have no idea.
I just looked it up....100 ft lbs.
http://www.ehow.com/list_7611589_ford-wheel-torque-specs.html
I've honestly never used a torque wrench and haven't had one come loose, except once after leaving a tire shop, they didn't tighten them down. ever since them I pull my tire iron out in front of any tire shop that touches my car.
I have never used one on my tires either. I also have never had a wheel become loose. I have a new set of locking lugs coming along with the other necessary pieces to put the Sport back to fighting shape.....well, almost fighting shape. Once the new trans is in and the aluminum heads, THEN, fighting shape.
I keep a cheapo in the trunk with the proper size socket.....when in doubt I use it....more as a piece of mind....cheap insurance.
http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS+Performance+Products/555/80580/10002/-1
After you've used a torque wrench enough times, you can tell what 100 feet/pounds feels like without it...ALWAYS carry a tire tool...and give 'em a quick check now and again. Just like a fire extinguisher, mastercard, and a spare tire....never leave home without it.
I think that is a valid point and well taken. We have been seeing wheels with inserts lately in the alloy wheels. I guess the older wheels do have a tendency of having temperature issues between metals. Best bet is a torque wrench. You would be very surprised as to how loose those lugs get. Either way i bought a knock around Torque wrench for wheel tightening and that is dedicated to only be used for lugs. The Porsche guys normally park them in the winter. As far as me i am healing very fast. Faster than i would have thought. If i am a little Grumpy please excuse it as it has only been 4 weeks since my surgery. But thank yopu for asking 302 that is well appreciated and i thank you kindly for asking. Thanks very much TOM!!
Years ago you could torque them too tight and possibly warp the rotor. Not sure if that applies today but I always torque mine with a torque wrench.
Wow, just seeing this, glad you are OK without any car damage.
Ive never had a problem like that. Im suspecting someone didnt torque them right, or they were loosened by someone.
I would have thought there should have been some vibration you could feel prior. I wonder if the wheel failed and separated first??
^Good point, and very possible.
^Good point, and very possible, but if so, wouldn't the lugs, spokes, and outer rim have stayed on the car? Very odd, no matter which way you view it. Vinnie...if you can rule out an oversight in torquing or re-torquing lugs (such as after tire service) perhaps you might invest in a security system to cover your driveway.
Just as "in case" kinda thing...
agreed... But this just seems very strange to me. I would think there should be some signal that the wheel was vibrating/loosening before it let fully go and failed and knocked completely off the car.
Re reading your first post...
For your lugs to be fine and the drum to be off...
Im thinking your lugs had to come loose...... if that was by not fully torquing or someone loosening them IDK. Good luck with that research.
I agree... If your wheel failed first, I would suspect the inner hub of the wheel to remain attached to the axle.
Glad you are OK vinnie.
Thanks guys. I'm fine. I have the new brake drum, waiting for the brake pieces and wheel to get here.
brand wheel and who made them and where?
glad your ok,, seems I missed this thread also.
let me know if you need anything as well,,, glad your ok and the birdie
The wheel is from OE Wheels. I've had three sets from them, and have never had an issue at all. But, stuff can go wrong.
Jb weld and it will be like new
Lol jk
That is crazy ..so did the lugs come off or did it break off ?
The lug bolts are just fine. Crazy. Loose nuts.
That sucks but could have Ben worse
That's how I feel. Luckily it's just some bolt on stuff and bleeding the brakes. The body is fine, people are fine. For a tire flying off, I think it could've been way worse. I am ready to get the old girl done.
2X on that^^^^^^^ had the same experience years ago...follow the same whenever anyone else touches my wheels now.
Ron
Vinnie I am glad to hear that you and the Bird were not seriously damaged in this freak accident!
Thanks a lot guys. OE Wheels said they will probably replace the wheel for me. Great guys over there.
well, I ordered a new wheel the next day after this happened, then Sunday, sent OE Wheels an email. They are replacing the wheel for me. Sweet. Today, I'm changing out the rear brakes and replacing the missing parts on the driver side.
That's Awsome !!
I like when companies take care of there customers
Me too. They emailed me, then called me. Took the time talk in person. I like that.
Right now, about to drop my youngest at work, then back here to try and get the brakes done before the sun goes down. Also going to go ahead and buy a new clutch kit so I can install the new transmission that's been sitting for the part few months. THEN, I'll sell off the current trans to get a few bucks back.
May be more to it than that - their rim separating could turn into a legal matter that they wouldn't want (lug nuts coming loose or not). Either way, they're handling it the way I'd hope any company would.
I've never run across issues with losing torque on snowflakes. I think I've found that my Insight's rims loosen up though. My tbird uses some long lugnuts that it has always had though - stock I think? It also still has a locking lugnut on each wheel. Lots of thread gripping surface on the closed ended lugnuts.
I have the rear brakes totally rebuilt now. New wheel cylinders, new brakes, new springs and all. Just have to bleed the brakes now.
werent you using spacers?
and why would you make a choice to decide to stay with these wheels?
thats a 25% failure rate in a very short period of time for a product that is life threatening if it fails,, and especially for a product that is assumed to last well beyond the lifetime of the vehicle.
The engineers of oem parts have to sit down and make something that will never fail under normal and proper use excluding misc damages to curbs ect.
they have to design a hood latch that wont ever ever ever fail
they have to design a spindal that wont snap off
they have to design a steerng wheel that wont come off in your hands.
they make a wheel that will last till the car is done.
they have to design certain items on a car to specs that are guaged on life or death.
if it were me,, the other three would be going back for a full refund plus the funds i needed to procure an equal look of my vendor of choice,,, and that would only keep me from going legal. the intent of a crtical part such as a wheel must meet ANSII & ASTM standards and well beyond the Yield rate of about 50% more than advertised for them to be accepted.
its your call but i believe its in your better intrest to get something else,, and i wouldnt continue liking these people. they are just folks doing thier job but you have to know that when they hung up from you,, emails were flying confirming "the customer isnt going any further with this and we think we have him positioned with the least amount of exposure to us".
if you had asked them "what are the yield, tensile and sheer specs of the metal and the hardware used to certify this product", i am certain you would be taken much much more seriosly.
its your call,, and think about your choice and your loved ones, and perhaps the odds increasing you to can be the christmas eve cause of an accident that took you and another family to the grave yard.
yes we care,, but my wife would never let me continue on with this choice..
what i find more distrubing is your capacity to make this choice yet you work in the medical community.
i need to know i can count on you to make the best choices when im on your table
No, I do not use spacers on my wheels. I will use the wheels again. As I stated, I don't think the wheel failed. I think the brake drum falling on top of the inner wheel while driving down the road is what broke it and the tire hitting the light pole with great force is what separated the halves of the wheel from the tire. I have had three sets of wheels from them with zero issues.
I have seen MANY broken wheels at the salvage yard that were damaged due to driving mishaps. I believe a 3400 pound car dropping it's weight onto a brake drum on the inner center of a wheel at 45 miles per hour may just be enough force to brake a wheel while it's spinning. More so an aluminum wheel, not steel. That is a guess as I do not build wheels. But, it does make sense.
As far as my critical thinking capabilities on my job at the hospital, I have done nursing care for 20 years, and know what I'm doing. I practice nursing care for a living and I am also an instructor at the hospital. The fact that you bring that up is a bit insulting. I don't believe anybody has questioned your job ethics or personal life choices due to a failed car part here on this forum. You should step back and re-think your words. This isn't the first time you spoke when you shouldn't about me. You need to step away until you can get yourself straight.
I also understand that parts have to be designed to last, but, all parts can fail if they are put through extremities they are not designed for, like a brake drum and the weight of a car falling on the center of a wheel at speed. Look in the salvage yards. Lots of broken wheels and parts there..
.
I'm surprised that they did not want the old wheel shipped back. If it was my company I sure would so I could make sure this was not a manufacturing issue.
They have been sued by Ford and others here and there but what business in this arena has not had some kinds of issues one way or another? I am with Vinnie on the fact that they produce a really good product and are super easy to deal with.
We need pics of the car with the new wheel on it man!
Darren
They do want it back to check it out. They are sending me a new wheel, and a label to ship the broken one back on their dime. He said they want to check it out and see if there was an issue in it's construction, or if it was due to the damage caused by the brake drum hammering down on it. My bet is the latter. Once the new wheel is here, it'll look like it did. The wheel was basically new when the damage happened. I don't even have 500 miles on them. I will post a pic though.
It may have separated instead of cracking because the wheel is a two piece design. The OEM wheels on these cars (snowflakes, 10 holes) are one piece. They probably would have bent/cracked instead of separating. It looks like the wheel itself bent and popped the center section out. It would have to take a hell of an impact to do that though.
The center section with the 5 spokes still has the outer ring with it. The deep dish lip.
The list of things to do never ends. I still have to install the carpet after i clean it, new trans and clutch, subframe connectors (hopefully in the next two weeks or less), swap the console, install the brand new trunk struts and floor mounts for them, install the new stereo when it gets back and set it up, new speakers, then, maybe a break.
Hah, that's a weekend's list of tasks. My current list of things to do on my car will take about 5 years to go through, and by then I'll probably want to change things up again :(
Well, Gayle helped me bleed the brakes on the Sport. I can't test drive it til I get my wheel here. I will hope for proper stopping. LOL. The rest will have to wait a few weks til I can pull the seats and console to install the carpet, then I'll go from there.
The new wheel, according to the tracking number, should be here today. Almost back on the road.
Once the wheel gets here, I'll have the tire mounted, and also install new lug nuts and locking lug nuts. Now all I will need is to get my syereo back from pioneer and I'll be in business. Should have the new 5 speed in within the next two weeks. After this is done....subframe connectors....finally.
They never seem to be done lol
Nope, they don't.